DIGITAL.NEOSKOSMOS.COM THE WEEKEND NEOS KOSMOS | SATURDAY 13 AUGUST 2016 7 NEWS Saints honour Demon defiance Footballer Dimitri Petrakis stood up to the homophobes who sledged him last season. Today he is St Kilda FC’s VIP guest as they take on the Sydney Swans in the inaugural AFL Pride Game at Etihad Stadium Dimitri in action for the Bentleigh Demons. Goal umpire Michael Craig and beyondblue chairman Jeff Kennett with St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis and AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan at the press launch of the Pride Game. PHOTO: ST KILDA FC. MICHAEL SWEET In September last year I wrote a story for this newspaper about a brave young gay man. As an Australian Rules football player for the Bentleigh Demons, 22-yearold Dimitri Petrakis was on the verge of quitting the game he loved; he was sick of the homophobic insults, the abuse from some opposition players and even spectators on the touchline. It was a question of either hanging up his boots, or taking a stand. But anyone who knew Dimitri knew he wasn't going to walk away without a fight. At the time, the quietly-spoken footballer said that while being insulted for being gay was nothing out of the ordinary, that it should happen so regularly, and with such venom, on the football field, was a shocking and isolating experience. "I tried to ignore it but it did affect my game," said Dimitri, who described football as his second home. "It's my sanctuary, I feel safe there." Resolved to confront the insults rather than back off, he made his concerns very public, speaking to media and lobbying his league's administrators about his treatment. For Oakleigh-born and bred Dimitri, it came down to much more than his own situation. "I don't care what happens to me," he said, "it's about the kids who are coming through who are too scared. There are kids out there who've faced this kind of stuff and killed themselves, and I'm just not going to let this happen." Last season, the reticence of the Southern Football League (the competition Bentleigh plays in) to come out clearly against homophobia after the first cases of sledging didn't help, but thankfully this season, that's all changed. A year on, Dimitri's en- joying his footy more than ever. Playing as a utility he's kicked 10 goals so far, the most he's ever kicked in a season. "The league has been very supportive from the start of this season," says Dimitri, "so much so that the CEO came and watched our first game against St Pauls, to make sure everything ran smoothly. "The league also warned clubs that there is zero tolerance to any form of vilification, which I think has worked well. "I'm very happy to say that there have been no incidents regarding homophobic language this season. I think everyone in our competition is a bit more educated - a bit more understanding, after everything that happened last year." With his Division 1 team running second on the ladder, Dimitri's stoked they'll make the finals this season. "It's been going very well for us so far, and playing finals is something we weren't able to achieve last year." St Kilda FC's customer and community manager Lisa Laing said the Saints were "thrilled" to be hosting Dimitri at the official function. "Sadly, we know from research that many in the LGBTIQ community do not feel safe at sporting events, His 10-goal haul has helped propel them into Southern Football League Div 1 finals this season. and don't feel they can truly be themselves at sporting clubs," she said. "Through the Pride Game we have a wonderful opportunity to educate and shine a light on stories like Dimitri's, to show how sport can lead the way in creating change in our community." Meanwhile, Dimitri can't wait to cheer the Saints on, and enjoy his well-earned VIP hospitality. "I feel very honoured and proud to be given this opportunity," he told Neos Kosmos. "The Pride Game is so important. It's one thing to say you support something, but another to show it, and so seeing these AFL guys who are role models to so many will pave the way for acceptance and equality in our game. "No one should have to hide who they are, but they will until they feel comfortable. Hopefully this Pride match will help with that." Kicking goals for gay pride: Dimitri Petrakis. 52844